You know the saying – a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, to me, this picture is worth a thousand hugs.
It was part of my 3(six)5 project last week. I'm a little over 50 days into it, and I've yet to miss a picture, but I'll admit that some days it's a struggle to come up with something. It was late in the afternoon, and the most beautiful light was pouring in through our family room windows. Elena was happily tucked into a book on the couch, but she was willing to put the book down for a few moments and indulge me in a little photo shoot.
Looking over the photos long after her bedtime, I marveled over how tricky it's been lately to capture her essence in a photograph. Not nearly as tricky as it's been navigating the transition between preschooler and girlhood, though.
This in-between, it's been rough. We can't quite figure her out, and we're left feeling that everything, everything, is a tug-of-war with no clear winner. It's as if she's caught in some sort of childhood limbo, where all that she's been and known is far too babyish, but all that she wants to do and be is not quite age-appropriate, either.
In this past week alone we've had to address french kissing (just the term, not the actual kissing – but still!) and cat fights over a boy (By this I mean "cat fight" in the most literal fashion: if one girl gets too close to the chosen boy, the other girl hisses, like a cat. This cat obsession has got to go). Mike and I collapsed on the couch the other night and just looked at each other like, "What the hell?" All those years of forbidding Hannah Montana for this? You don't know if it's lack of vigilance on your part, or if this is just the world creeping in, finding these girls younger and younger and still not satisfied to leave them be.
So this picture. It does my heart good to know that my little girl is still in there. In her playdress, with her freckles, and those eyelashes that I swear have been that long since the day she was born. On those days when the sighing, the drama, and the iCarly-ness is just too much, I'll always have this picture and its thousand hugs. Not the prickly, I'm-only-hugging-you-because-you're-my-mother hugs, either. No, it's the sticky, full-on, fierce hugs you get when they barely reach your kneecaps kind that I have in mind. For now, I may just go watch this creature as she sleeps. Because they're always precious and baby-like in their sleep.
And they can't roll their eyes at you when they're closed.
Oh, my. Words that surely ring true for all mothers of little girls. Beautiful photo and post.
beautiful.
I love this picture, and your words so beautifully match the struggle of being a parent. It also makes me so excited that Jackson will be able to hug me some day!! He can wrap his arm around my shoulders, but hasn’t mastered the hug or kiss yet. We basically force him into submission:)
Beautiful post about a beautiful girl! Reading how you want to watch her as she sleeps reminded me of this from Brian Andreas of Storypeople: “I sometimes wake in the early morning & listen to the soft breathing of my children & I think to myself, this is one thing I will never regret & I carry that quiet with me all day long.”
Love. Love. Love. Read your comment first thing this morning and immediately snuck into my childrens rooms for a little of that quiet.
Angie
Angie –
this photo is BEAUTIFUL! Way to capture the moment!
Amazing shot.
Hi! New reader here – found you via Twitter talking about BlogHer. I’m going for the first time this year and am super excited.
I also have a daughter (she’s 2) and love photography.
Hope to make your acquaintance and see you in NYC!
V.W.
p.s. We’ve been living in Nasvhille for the past 5 years – are you from here?
Hi Victoria! Thanks for stopping by. It doesnt look like Ill be going to BlogHer this year. I had a blast last year, but as far as getting the most bang for my buck, Blissdom was a better conference for me. Two conferences a year is pushing it for me financially. I hope you have a great time, though!
We lived in Nashville for 10 years before relocating to Indy. I still have a brother there, though, so we get back a few times a year. Love Nashville!
Just Like The Number
Project 3(six)5: A Year in Photos
Twitter: katydid6
Your pictures brought me here and your words kept me here. we are going through a similar transition with my 10 year old boy. I have also had thoughts like, why didn’t i just let him play video games all day…and then you get that glimpse of them in the really good light. I don’t really know what your “niche” is either, but it is the kind I want to be in with you.
Jenny, that was the best comment Ive ever had the honor of receiving! Thank you so much for you kind words.
Angie